Audio Commentary by Director James Cameron, Cast and Crew, Introduction by James Cameron (Special Edition Only), Final Theatrical Isolated Score by James Horner, Composer's Original Isolated Score by James Horner, Deleted and Extended Scenes

One of the Greatest- 4 1/2

I'll be frank: I'm a Xenomaniac. The first two movies in this franchise (Alien and Aliens) are fantastic masterpieces, that, along with Predator, added two memorable creatures to the horror/ sci-fi genre.
Where the original Alien scared us with one creature, one new, fresh, unknown monster that would make its way into the lexicon of great movie monsters, Aliens knew the scares were over. Those off to see Aliens (a full 7 years after the original hit the screen) were more than familiar with the titular creature, and James Cameron; still making a name for himself, took the next best road...
He added many more Aliens and set them loose against a heavily armed squad of marines. He'd also add yet another great creature into movie history with the impressive Queen.
While Cameron has stated Aliens is his take on Viet Nam (a cocky, highly armed militia in the US heading against an army that featured more troops, familiarity with the territory, and a singular purpose) he doesn't slam you over the head with his underlying tone. No, this is Cameron at his finest. His first big-budget (having only had the small budget in the original Terminator) action film that would lead to him truly being the master of the sci-fi/ action fest.
While FOX would believe his vision was too long for theater-goers, we're blessed that other Xenophiles, like myself, familiar with the script (that the novelization was based on) knew that some rather interesting chunks were taken out of the film. When CBS(/ if memory serves) gave Aliens its first commercial broadcast, it was confirmed. In an effort to add some time back into the film, people were shocked to finally see scenes acknowledging that Ripley had a daughter, that it was, in fact, Newt's father that had been brought back to the colony with a facehugger attached to his face, making him the first infected, or the sheer awesomeness of the sentry guns.
The director's cut of the film has, after making it onto Laserdisc, eventually been the staple release of the film, and this blu ray is no different. It's been remastered, bringing forth the beautiful blue hue that permeates every scene upon the arrival at LV-426. The image is top-notch.
I own the Alien Quadriligy on DVD, the Limited Edition lightup/ numbered statue version of the Alien Anthology on Blu Ray, along with the SDCC Alien blu, the 35th anniv blu of Alien, and the limited edition artwork of Alien... and that's just the movies, not including dozens upon dozens of other collectibles and limited edition memorabilia from the movies... As well as both movies on the original official VHS formats.
Aliens is, in fact, in a tie with the original Alien as my favorite movie of all-time. (Although I have watched Aliens far more often).
So, if Aliens is my all-time favorite film, why am I giving it only 4 1/2 stars?
I purchased this because in both collections I own of the Alien series, none included a digital version of any of the films. I ended up with two codes for the digital copies of the original Alien via the 35th anniversary and the ltd ed art version, but still had no digital copy of Aliens. This blu ray includes the UV copy, which I had no issues springing for yet another copy for, especially at the sale price (believe it was $6.99 at the time). Much to my chagrin, once I redeemed my UV copy, it turned out to be the theatrical release... Which just isn't considered the standard format to watch Aliens after Cameron went back and restored the scenes that had been cut. The DC has been "gospel" now pretty much upon its release on DVD, when it got into the hands of nearly every fan. The disc itself features BOTH versions of the film (pretty standard- cant think of a release of Aliens that doesn't offer both) so if you do not care or do not worry about UV or maintain a digital library, there's no reason to pass this up if you're a fan of the movie. (Although buying the Anthology itself is probably your best deal, overall... Unless you just don't care at all about Alien 3 or 4). However, if you're like myself, and don't own a digital copy, be forewarned... The digital redemption FOX offers is not for the "Cameron true version".

I would recommend this to a friend

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Mike

Verified Purchase

Elite Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Its Perfect!

What can I say about this movie that hasn't been said before? Nothing really - it is a beloved sci-fi masterpiece that solidified James Cameron as one of the top directors in Hollywood History. Sure he would go on to make Terminator 2, True Lies, Abyss, Titanic and Avatar - all great classics too... but it is here with Aliens that I became a James Cameron fan for life. This movie defined the visual "Space Marine" concept for generations to come. It turned Sigourney Weaver into a bonafide action hero. It also is one of those very rare occasions that for many - a sequel to a GREAT movie actually lived up to (if not exceeded) the original film.
As for the packaging and presentation of the blu-ray - its is awesome. There is nothing to complain about and the ability to have a digital version link to my VUDU account is just icing on the cake. I love being able to just use my roku to get to a movie when I want to just watch and not hunt down the disc.
Last thing - I owned the laser disc and DVD versions of this movie - this is by far the cleanest copy I've ever scene. This is not a cheap repacking of older versions (a lot of the $5 blu-rays are just DVD transfers).

I would recommend this to a friend

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mavick

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Excellent

Posted 9 years ago

mavick

This review is from Aliens [Special Edition] [DVD] [1986]

"This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Fifity-seven years after Alien, a squad of Marines swoops in to exterminate the Aliens.
This sequel to Alien takes the concept of a parastic Alien monster and expands on it. Rather than try to duplictae the first movie, director James Cameron gives us a white-knuckle action adventure movie.
Well-developed characters, a brilliantly written story, superb visual effects and thrilling action makes for great sci-fi entertainment.
This DVD is the extended edition of Aliens, with a lot of scenes not included in the theatrical version. The Special Edition is far superior to the theatrical version. In fact, the Special Edition makes the theatrical version feel like a work in progress.
While this is not an overly violent movie, Aliens is violent enough to warrant its 'R' rating.
Aliens is truly one of the best movies ever made and is easily the best of the 'Alien' series."
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

I would recommend this to a friend

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XAvenger

Top 100 Contributor

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Brilliant sci-fi action

Posted 9 years ago

XAvenger

Top 100 Contributor

This review is from Aliens [Special Edition] [DVD] [1986]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Fifity-seven years after Alien, a squad of Marines swoops in to exterminate the Aliens.
This sequel to Alien takes the concept of a parastic Alien monster and expands on it. Rather than try to duplictae the first movie, director James Cameron gives us a white-knuckle action adventure movie.
Well-developed characters, a brilliantly written story, superb visual effects and thrilling action makes for great sci-fi entertainment.
This DVD is the extended edition of Aliens, with a lot of scenes not included in the theatrical version. The Special Edition is far superior to the theatrical version. In fact, the Special Edition makes the theatrical version feel like a work in progress.
While this is not an overly violent movie, Aliens is violent enough to warrant its 'R' rating.
Aliens is truly one of the best movies ever made and is easily the best of the 'Alien' series.

I would recommend this to a friend

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prlwctd

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

a superior sequel

Posted 10 years ago

prlwctd

This review is from Aliens [Special Edition] [DVD] [1986]

There are only a handful of sequels which are better than their progenitors. Aliens is one of those handful.
Sigourney Weaver is fabulous reprising her role of Ripley, who has returned to civilization and then receives word that the world where she had her horrific encounter in Alien has since been colonized-and now those colonists are missing. Despite initial reluctance, her recurring nightmares eventually prompt her to go back to that world for her past experience; this time accompanied by gung-ho marines, who, needless to say, get more than they bargained for.
Ripley's reluctance to face this horror a second time soon transforms into obsession as she forms a bond with a young girl who's the only survivor of the colony.
This film succeeds because it wisely elects not to simply recreate Alien in another form but rather tell a different kind of story that ends up becoming a classic as well.

I would recommend this to a friend

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OccasionalBestBuyShopper

Verified Purchase

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Aliens - Blue-ray Disk

My goal to find improved video quality of my favorite movies was met with this disk. Many of the darkened & hard-to-see background scenes in the earlier formats have been greatly improved here.
The option to watch both the originally released & 1990s extended versions is a nice feature. The extra scenes added in the extended version really does add to the storyline.
This disk also allows my Blue-ray player to mark the location in the film should I choose to stop it & recalls where it can resume showing the movie the next time I pop in the disk......many older and cheaper recorded blue-ray disks do not allow for this most convenient feature.

I would recommend this to a friend

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Quicksilver00

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Great Sequel, Action Packed!

Posted 4 years ago

Quicksilver00

Member

If you're searching for a high speed, low drag super action thriller, search no more because "Aliens" is the film you're looking for! Even if you've not seen the first movie, "Alien" you'll still be able to enjoy this film to the fullest. That was of course by the design of the producers and this films superb director, James Cameron. Few sequels ever out do or exceed the accomplishments of their predecessors but "Aliens" can certainly be counted among those select few! With an exceptional script and an extremely talented cast, James Cameron crafted one of the best films to have ever graced the silver screen and the home theater screen.

I would recommend this to a friend

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tbirdhammer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

The best Alien movie

Posted 11 years ago

tbirdhammer

This review is from Aliens [Special Edition] [DVD] [1986]

One of Ridley Scotts' greatest masterpieces, this film is textbook if you are looking to make a great sequal to an established film. With extended scenes to complete the vision that the director had in mind, this film now holds a place in my 10 most watched movies. Reprising the role of Ripley, Sigourney Weaver, lost in space after an alien killed her entire crew and forced her to destroy her craft, finds herself being prosecuted by the corporation for the unexplained destruction of her spacecraft and its' precious cargo. But when a colony loses contact with earth on the same planet she claimed the creature had come from, the company recruits her to join a military task force to land and assess the situation.